The Sun West Addictions Educator develops and delivers school-based prevention programs to Sun West students at all grade levels. The Addictions Educator works closely with the Child and Youth Counsellors, school-based administrators, students, other school staff, the Saskatchewan Health Authority, the RCMP and other community agencies to make addiction services and programs more effective and accessible for all students.

The Addictions Educator offers programming and presentations that focus on preventing alcohol, tobacco and other drug use. She offers programming to every grade level and to every school within the Sun West School Division. The Addictions Educator is also available to help teachers and school staff obtain the necessary resources to discuss alcohol, tobacco and other drug prevention within their classrooms.

P.A.R.T.Y. (Preventing Alcohol and Risk-Related Trauma in Youth)

One of the programs offered by the Addictions Educator is The P.A.R.T.Y. (Prevent Alcohol and Risk-Related Trauma in Youth) Program. It is a one-day injury awareness and prevention program for youth 15 and older. Developed in 1986 at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre in Toronto, this program seeks to reduce death and injury from alcohol, drug and risk-related crashes and incidents. Students hear from police officers, paramedics, doctors, nurses, the blood and tissue bank, rehabilitation professionals, and people who have experienced traumatic incidents. This program is real, emotional, scientific and life saving.

The P.A.R.T.Y. program is offered annually for all Sun West Grade 10 students at locations in Rosetown, Kindersley, Outlook, Biggar and Davidson.

The program provides an opportunity for students to see the procedures of what would happen if they were involved in a traumatic incident, like a car crash. This program is only made possible with the help and time put in by community stakeholders. To learn more about P.A.R.T.Y. visit the website www.partyprogram.com.

TTYL (Talking to Youth Live)

The Addictions Educator coordinates and plans the Talking to Youth Live (TTYL) events in partnership with the Saskatchewan Health Authority. Sun West offers the program to all grade 8 students annually at locations in Outlook, Rosetown, Elrose and Kindersley. The program uses a games format, where the students rotate between five different sessions. Topics discussed throughout the day are impairment, choices and consequences, mental health, addictions as well as practical ways to maintain mental wellness and peer/community supports.

This program is made possible through a great partnership with our communities. Read here for a recent story about a Sun West TTYL event.

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